Fissler Extra: Scotland boss Gregor Townsend takes flight

Gloucester are the latest PREM Rugby outfit to sound out Scotland and Lions tourist Ben White, but Toulon remain the favourites to retain his services when his contract runs out at the end of the season.

The former England Under-20 international is also on the radar of Perpignan, while Saracens, Newcastle Red Bulls, Edinburgh and R360 are all keen to sign him.

Ironically, White, 27, was called up to the Lions tour in the summer as a replacement for the injured Tomos Williams, who he could replace at Kingsholm if he rejects a new deal to remain in the West Country.

Sophie Lloyd’s Medley Rocks Twickenham | WRWC 2025 Final | RPTV

Witness guitar virtuoso Sophie Lloyd set the stage alight at the Rugby World Cup 2025 Finals with an electrifying medley of Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” and the Black Eyed Peas’ “Pump It”.
Filmed live at one of sport’s biggest nights, this special showcase captures the spirit of rugby and rock in perfect harmony.

CATCH UP NOW

Sophie Lloyd’s Medley Rocks Twickenham | WRWC 2025 Final | RPTV

Witness guitar virtuoso Sophie Lloyd set the stage alight at the Rugby World Cup 2025 Finals with an electrifying medley of Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” and the Black Eyed Peas’ “Pump It”.
Filmed live at one of sport’s biggest nights, this special showcase captures the spirit of rugby and rock in perfect harmony.

CATCH UP NOW

Gregor Townsend is flying to Austria today as he starts his 30-day-a-year gig as rugby advisor to Red Bull, taking a look at their ice hockey and football training facilities in Salzburg.

The Scotland boss hopes that his link with the energy drinks giant will help Scottish Rugby, but told the BBC that he doesn’t have any involvement in helping Newcastle Red Bulls with their recruitment.

“Let’s address the player recruitment one. I saw that article and I said to the journalist that it’s not true. Newcastle Red Bulls have their own recruitment company,” he told the BBC.

Fijian fly-half Ben Volavola is leaving Leicester Tigers and returning to Australia, where he has agreed a one-year deal with Queensland Reds, according to a report on The Roar.

Volavola, 34, made 11 appearances for the Tigers last season after signing from Agen and had spells with the Crusaders and Melbourne Rebels earlier in his career.

He had played in Europe since joining Bordeaux in 2017 before moving on to Racing 92, where he made 63 appearances.

Henry Slade has ruled out playing himself if Rob Kitson’s brilliant book Exe Men, which has opened to rave reviews as a stage play at Exeter’s Northcott Theatre, ever makes it to the big screen.

But the role could stay in the family, with the England star’s younger brother Seb — an actor who had a part in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning — taking the part.

“I’d be crap (playing myself), I’m not good in front of the camera. My brother could play me — yeah, I’ll say that, even though he looks nothing like me. His nose is too big, but we could do something about that with CGI,” said Slade.

Former Dragons flyer Ashton Hewitt has confirmed that he has called time on his career after being released by the region at the end of last season, despite only being 30, to start a new career in consultancy.

Academy product Hewitt, who spent 12 years at Rodney Parade making 131 appearances and scoring 37 tries, has set up a consultancy firm that will specialise in working with businesses on diversity and inclusion.

“It is retirement for me, I have been tempted a couple of times, and I am definitely deep into the transition now,” Hewitt told Scrum V.

Scotland international Mark Bennett, who won a silver medal at the Rio Olympic Games and has been without a club since the summer, looks set to continue his career in the United States.

Outside centre Bennett, 32, who had two spells with Glasgow Warriors on either side of a stint in France with Clermont Auvergne, has been without a club since his contract with Edinburgh expired in July.

But sources say he will play in Major League Rugby after agreeing to join an unnamed team as he looks to get his injury-hit career back on track after only playing four times for Edinburgh last season.

Portugal winger Rodrigo Marta is at the centre of a tug-of-war between two Top 14 sides when his contract with Pro D2 outfit Colomiers runs out at the end of the season.

Marta, 25, who is Portugal’s record try-scorer, moved to France with Dax in 2022 before joining Colomiers a year later, but is now set to move into the top flight after scoring three tries in five games so far this season.

Vannes were thought to be interested but needed a move for a non-JIFF player; he has received offers from Pau and an unnamed club, according to sources in France.

Bristol Bears are continuing to sign up players to contract extensions after announcing that experienced second row Joe Batley — named in both the England A and England Senior training squads last season — has inked a new deal.

Batley, named in the PREM Rugby Team of the Season for 2025, has made 77 appearances for the Bears, starting 55 of the last 56 matches he has played over the past three seasons.

“My ambition is to become a Bears centurion, to help this team win the PREM and to keep pushing to represent my country. I truly believe this is the best place for me to do that,” he said.